What Michigan Parents of Infants with Erb’s Palsy Need to Know about Michigan Birth Injuries

If you have just been told that your newborn baby has a condition known as Erb's Palsy, a form of brachial plexus palsy, there are several things you need to know. Erb's Palsy typically occurs during a difficult labor and delivery process. If a baby's head and/or neck are pulled too hard during labor or delivery, or if the head or neck is twisted or bent too far, a brachial plexus injury may occur, resulting in Erb's palsy, also known as Klumke's palsy. Brachial plexus injuries can cause partial to complete paralysis of the shoulder, upper arm, elbow, forearm, wrist, hand or fingers.

Obstetricians sometimes use forceps or vacuum extractors in an attempt to get the baby out of the birth canal. However, the incorrect placement and use of the forceps or vacuum extractors can create a severe stretch of the nerves on one or both sides of the baby's neck, causing a Michigan birth injury or a brachial plexus injury.

Brachial plexus is a network of nerves that provides feeling to the hands, arms, fingers and wrists. If these nerves are stretched or torn, permanent loss of feeling and motion could occur leaving the infant with Erb's Palsy. Symptoms of this condition include:

• Limp arm
• Arm paralysis
• Lack of muscle control in the wrist, hand or arm
• Arm numbness and lack of feeling in the arm

If you believe your child is victim of Michigan Erb's Palsy, physicians will need to examine your baby so they can indicate the severity of the infant's nerve injury. Some children will get all their feeling back within three months to two years, whereas other more severe Erb's palsy cases may leave a child with paralysis.

If your infant was diagnosed with Erb's Palsy in Michigan, you should contact an experienced Detroit birth injury attorney for legal advice. Michigan birth injuries are typically caused from medical negligence and can leave your child with devastating consequences, such as paralysis and nerve damage, among others. You and your child may be eligible to receive compensation for pain and suffering, medical bills, hospital bills, physical therapy, and medication.

We understand how difficult this time in your life can be, and we want to help you obtain justice and proper compensation for your child. We have over 42 years of experience representing the families of injured infants and we won't charge you any fees unless we are able to obtain a recovery.